Core series

In addition to the five generations currently revealed and a sixth one on the way for the Nintendo 3DS, fans have come to expect future generations of the Pokémon franchise, extending the series and bringing about new concepts, new areas to explore, and most importantly, new Pokémon. Despite over 600 Pokémon currently being known to the public, it has been indicated both in-universe and by the creators of the series that not every Pokémon has yet been discovered and not every region has been explored.

Fan speculation

This article contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

The five currently released generations have established and maintained a series of patterns that hint towards what a new generation may entail. Naturally, a new region, new set of Pokémon, new set of moves, and new characters will be introduced. To some extents, these may encompass new concepts, but the standards set down over the past fifteen years will provide the backbone of the game.

General

The player will start his or her journey with one of three starter Pokémon, which will be of the Grass, Fire, or Water-types. Eight Gyms must be challenged before the player can take on the Pokémon League; a villainous team must be stopped along the way. After the League has been defeated, a range of special areas will become accessible.

It can be assumed that the games will be released initially as a pair, with a third version (or paired sequels, like Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 following a couple of years later. The third version will expand on the plot. Remakes of previous games may follow, to be released around significant anniversaries.

Just as Pokémon Red and Green and Pokémon Gold and Silver have been remade, it is possible that Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire will be remade in Generation V or VI.

The games will be accompanied by new Pokémon manga, anime episodes, and TCG cards.

Third version

The third version will expand on the plot, and may contain new designs for existing places, new places, new Gym Leaders and characters in general, new Pokémon forms, more Pokémon from previous generations will become available and more special features. The two mascot Pokémon of the previous pair-games will both be available, usually after the player finishes the main plot.

Pokémon

Some Pokémon may evolve into or from previously released Pokémon.

Legendary Pokémon with myths specific to the region are expected. Recent games feature these Pokémon in roles important to the driving plot. These Pokémon often appear in duos and trios.

The remainder of the Pokémon may be encountered once the milestone of defeating the Pokémon League is accomplished.

Before the release of Generations II, III, IV, and V, new Pokémon have been used to promote the new games through the anime. Ho-Oh, Togepi, Snubbull, Marill, Donphan, Kecleon, Blaziken, Munchlax, Electivire, Chatot, Buizel, Bonsly, Mime Jr., Lucario, Weavile, Manaphy, Zoroark and Zorua are a few of the Pokémon that debuted before their generation.

Characters

The first five generations have introduced some stock characters. Two player character options (one male, one female) live in a small town with their mother. A previously unknown Pokémon Professor named after a type of tree will set the player's journey in motion. Eight Gym Leaders stand in the player's way to the Elite Four and the Champion, as does the player's rival(s).

Many other characters will exist in various manners: non-player characters to aid the player, Pokémon Trainers to defeat on the road, a villainous team, and perhaps familiar faces.

The Champion most of the time tends to be introduced on an early stage of the game, and help the player as he/she continues his/her adventure.

Geography

Within the new region, there will be at least ten cities or towns, connected by routes. Current trends show that there will be at least one water route, a mountain, caves, and a forest. The route leading up to the Pokémon League has thus far been known as Victory Road.

In recent games, post-League areas dedicated to battling such as the Battle Frontier and Battle Subway have been introduced to provide a new challenge to the latter portion of the game.

Speculation against future generations

Naturally, there are fans who do not see future generations as a possibility, and feel that the Pokémon franchise has done its dash.

New generations are typically marketed and announced about every three years, although the most recent two generations have been the central focus of the franchise for closer to four years. It remains unknown whether a sixth generation will be announced following this pattern (placing its release in 2013, 2014 or 2015), or if it will be announced at all.

See also

• History of Pokémon
• Generation I
• Generation II
• Generation III
• Generation IV
• Generation V

This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.